A proper tribute to the innocent victims of 9-11 is to honor their memory by not perpetuating the blind hatred that caused this tragedy.
Tag Archive for honor
What Do Nurses Actually Do?
Yesterday, on their special day, I highlighted teachers. Today, on National Nurses Day, we honor those who have chosen to spend their lives caring for us. They do it in so many ways that we don’t even think of, as this video shows. Thank you, nurses, for all that you do.
More than Just Remembering
Sept. 11 is more than just a day we remember the horrific attack on our country and all the devastation and loss of life. It’s a day when we banish division, hatred, animosity, self-centeredness, and all the evils that are tearing our country apart. Let’s let today be the re-start of a nation-family that honors, respects, and listens to each other and has the highest good for our fellow Americans–and the whole human family–at heart.
Honoring Our Military
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day. President Harry S. Truman ushered in this day in which we recognize and honor the military women and men who have, do, and will protect our country and way of life. The observance became official on Aug. 31, 1949, replacing days honoring the different branches of the service now that they were all combined under the Dept. of Defense.
Let’s stop and think what these people and their families give up for us and express our gratitude in some small way. “Thank you for your service” has become an automatic response, often with little or no feeling behind it. Say or do something different. Buy a current or ex military person a cup of coffee, visit their family and help with household repairs, or take care of their kids while the parents have a “date night.” I’m sure you’ll think of something that will let them know how much you appreciate them.
Remembering The Arizona & Veterans
have vivid memories of my experience in visiting the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. The visit began with a film showing the horrors of the attack on Pearl Harbor. My eyes blurred with tears. Then there was the choppy boat trip to the monument, a short distance from other coffin-ships which suffered the same fate as the Arizona. So many names filled the wall behind the altar-like steps, and the hush of the crowd echoed the silent voices trapped deep beneath us. Little was said on the trip back to land, as we all found ourselves deep in thought.
This Veterans Day I’m thinking the Canadians are right to call it “Remembrance Day.” It’s important to remember and honor our veterans, those who fought for our way of life. It’s even more important to remember that we should work toward a time when the reason for such occasions is only a bad memory.
Hug a veteran. Pray for peace.
My Veteran
I honor, respect, and thank all veterans. But this is the one I love.
Proud Navy man. Loving husband and father. Overall good person.
I miss him but celebrate him today, on Veteran’s Day.
An Idea for Labor Day Weekend and Beyond
Labor Day weekend…a few days to relax as summer comes to a close. Here’s something to think about as you relax.
Labor of all types should be respected and honored on Labor Day and always. Even if it’s done so often in front of our eyes that we no longer notice or acknowledge it. Think about it. Do you really see the work your family members do in your home? In your household, who does the cooking, cleaning, laundry, lawn-mowing, car repairs, or bill-paying? Who acts as general contractor, arranging for needed repairs around the home and yard? Who shoulders most of the daily responsibility for child-rearing, including teaching the children morality, consideration for others, faith, honesty, and other attributes that will mold them into caring, productive adults? Who helps them with homework? Do the children do assigned chores–or sometimes just because they choose to help? Take a moment to notice the work being done around you daily and say thank you to the family member doing it. Your little gesture of appreciation honors labor itself as well as your loved one performing it.
An Overlooked Group of WWII Vets
[Today I have a guest blogger, Justine Wong. She presents what I think is a wonderful idea.]
The United States has acknowledged other marginalized groups that served in WWII including African Americans, Native Americans, Japanese Americans, women, and most recently Filipino Americans. The S.1050 and H.R.2358 seeks to recognize the Chinese Americans who fought in the war. As of May 4th, 2017 it has been introduced in the House of Congress. If Congress were to pass these bills the medal would be displayed in the Smithsonian Institution.
Read about this overdue honor at Recognize Chinese American Veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal. And while you’re at that web page, sign the petition so we can get this going!
Would You Vote for These Veterans?
What if all our politician took–and lived by–this pledge?
THE PLEDGE
1. Integrity
- I will always speak the truth and prioritize the public interest above my self-interest.
- I will return or give to charity contributions from sources that I find out taint my integrity.
- I will use the power of my office only for the service of my constituents and my country.
2. Civility
- I will respect my colleagues, focus on solving problems and work to bring civility to politics.
- I will publicly reject, and seek to remove, any advertisements in support of my campaign that lie about or baselessly attack the character of my opponent.
- I will attend and participate in a cross-partisan veterans caucus.
3. Courage
- I will defend the rights of all Americans and have the courage to collaborate across the aisle and find common ground.
- I will meet with someone from an opposing party one-on-one at least once a month.
- I will join with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on at least one piece of major legislation each year, and co-sponsor additional pieces.
There’s a new organization that is recruiting people they think know the real meaning of “country first” and governing with honesty and integrity–veterans. They would take the Pledge, respect it, an act on it, this organization believes. Read about them–their perception of the problem and their solution–at https://www.withhonor.org.
My Irish Blessing for You
I, Jackie O’Donnell, nee Kelly, hereby proclaim each and everyone of you an honorary Irish person today. Here’s my Irish blessing for you:
May the roof above us never fall in. And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.
